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Research guide C4: The Merchant Navy: Sources for enquiries

Sources

There are many sources, both printed and manuscript, that can assist with research into aspects of the merchant navy. Which of these is most useful, in any particular case, will depend on the research being undertaken, e.g.

Merchant ships and shipping companies

Merchant navy officers and seamen

Merchant navy activities in the First and Second World Wars

The National Maritime Museum holds a range of material that may assist and is especially strong in its collection of published works. Details of these, together with archive material, may be found from the Library catalogue and the Archive catalogue. Researchers may also find it useful to consult the Prints and Drawings Catalogue.

Further guidance on material in the Archive and Library collections at the National Maritime Museum, categorised by subject, is to be found in the range of Research Guides. A list of the most relevant is below under 'Next Steps'.

Despite the depth and breadth of its collection, the material held by the National Maritime Museum will probably need to be supplemented by material held elsewhere. This guide lists places which, like the National Maritime Museum, have records and information that will help you research various aspects of mercantile history:

Boats and barges that plied the inland waterways did not fall within the scope of the legislation controlling merchant shipping and so researchers should not expect to find records of them there. The best starting point for research into those topics is The Waterways Archive.

County and local record offices

Many county record offices and local archives in the UK hold material related to shipping in their area. Amongst this may be found local ship registration documents maintained by Customs officials. Some also hold agreements, crew lists, and official log books related to ships registered in their area (1863–1913) other than those held by The National Archives and the National Maritime Museum. A list of those record offices holding crew lists is to be found in the National Archive’s Research Guide Merchant Seamen: Log books, Agreements and Crew Lists after 1861. More detailed listings are to be found on the website of the Crew List Index Project. Contact details (as at 2005) for many local archives can be found using English Record Offices and Archives or Google.

British LibraryNewspaper LibraryColindale AvenueLondon NW9 5HETel: +44 (0)20 7412 7353Fax: 020 7412 7379E-mail:newspaper@bl.ukNote: The Newspaper Library will gradually be moving out of Colindale between 2009 and 2012: check their website for details.The Library holds national and provincial newspapers, maritime and trade papers.

Bristol Record Office'B' Bond WarehouseSmeaton RoadBristol BS1 6XNTel: +44 (0)117 922 4224Fax: +44 (0)117 922 4236Email:bro@bristol.gov.ukHolds material related to the port of Bristol, ship registration documents for Bristol (1824–1886) and agreements, crew lists and official log books for Bristol-registered ships (1863–1913) other than those held by The National Archives and the National Maritime Museum.

Guildhall LibraryAldermanburyLondon EC2V 7HHTel: +44 (0)20 7332 1868/1870 (printed books) or +44 (0)20 7332 1863/3803 (manuscripts) E-mail:printedbooks.guildhall@cityoflondon.gov.uk (printed books) or manuscripts.guildhall@cityoflondon.gov.uk (manuscripts)Holds the Lloyd's Marine Collection, providing a wide range of information on the shipping movements and casualties and the Lloyd's Captains' Registers, which also provide an index to some categories of Masters certificates, (Guildhall Ms. 18567 – Ms 18571); also archives of Trinity House and the Watermen and Lightermen's Company; and many other valuable historical sources.

Maritime History ArchiveMemorial University of NewfoundlandSt John'sNewfoundland A1C 5S7CanadaE-mail:mha@mun.caHolds between 70% and 80% of agreements, crews and logs for British merchant ships between 1863–1938, and 1951–1976. Details of their holdings are to found on their website and on that of the Crew List Index Project.

The National ArchivesRuskin Avenue KewRichmondSurrey TW9 4DUTel: +44 (0)20 8876 3444E-mail: via online contact formHolds apprenticeship records from 1824–1953; registers of seamen's service 1835–1857, and 1913–1972; registers of certificates of competency and service of officers from 1845–1921; all surviving muster rolls from 1747 onwards; and crew agreements for British merchant ships 1835-60 and 10% for all years 1861–1938 and 1951–1994; with much other unique material. They have a wide range of Research Guides that may assist.

The Waterways ArchiveLlanthony WarehouseThe DocksGloucester GL1 2EHTel: 01452 318225Fax: 01452 318225 E-mail: via contact form on websiteHolds records relating to inland waterways, the boats that used them and their owners.

For general research help see:

Although care has been taken in preparing the information contained in this document, anyone using it shall be deemed to indemnify the National Maritime Museum from any and all injury or damage arising from such use.